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Black Houses

I just got back from a mega walk around the neighborhood and couldn't help but notice that all black houses have overgrown lawns. I mean - every single one of them (and there's ALOT of them)!

I've heard that all of the houses are painted black because of the owner is mad at the city for not letting him paint a house a certain color (I can't quite remember the details). I don't know if that's true or just Oly lore. But is there also a thing about not mowing the lawn, too?

word from some of Duane's renters is that he requests that they do NOT mow the lawn. Why, you ask? Because this, along with the paint colors on the houses (black and, now, school-bus yellow) drive down the property value (supposedly).

As for the addresses of houses, it seems (at least to me) to be rather strange/creepy to distribute that kind of info in public space like this. Walk/bike/drive around (especially on the eastside, north of 4th) and you'll find many of them)

I just wanted to map the houses out and see what kind of images I can create. Just looking for a short cut. Nearest intersection or land mark would work just fine. Does that sound considerably less creepy.

Then do a tour, figure out an address not on the list above, and see what other business entity names you can then search, for more addresses. Not as much work as going around finding all of them by foot, but still some foot work to be done.

By the way, the disc with all the current data can be got for $5.00 (CD duplication cost) from the Assessor. They will try to get you to pay hundreds to the GIS department. Don't be fooled. Show them the photocopy of Louis Bloom's document request. By the way, the cops have this database linked to GIS software on their laptops. Imagine what stalkers they could be if they had a personal beef with you!

Speaking of the black houses, it appears the person that was just arrested by the FBI for alleged eco-terrorism lived in a black house, and Duane Moore wrote a character reference letter for him. Weird coincidence of the day.

For more info check out the story in the Olympian and scroll to the bottom and click on the PDF link.

As a law abiding citizen, I wouldn't write this guy or any other inmate. I didn't write any family member I might have that was ever incarcerated either.

I'm all for innocent until proven guilty but this guy was arrested by the FBI. I'm sure they'll be monitoring any visitors or persons corresponding with him. I sure wouldn't want to be associated with that or have my reputation looked into as a possible ELF associate.

“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’

“Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothing? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’

“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!’

Let's play God's Advocate for a moment. What's good for the uninterested or noncompassionate freeperson should be good for the pro choice activist. Or for whomever else scripture may be fired at, such as gay people.

My thinking behind my comment was that we should be careful when using Scripture to make our points. Personally I loved the point made by quoting Matthew. But if I accept that, what reason do I have not to accept Bible Bigot Jim's yearly tirades?

added: As a Municipal Judge in Shelton once told me, You can't have it both ways [Ms. Eddy].

Using your logic, we cannot quote anyone, because there is always another writer with a contrary view who can be quoted by the other side. Someone asked, why write to a man arrested by the FBI? I provided her, a fellow Christian (at least in name), something she might appreciate.

It's possible you mistook me. While I believe there were multiple contributors to the Bible many Christians find it to be solely the Word of God. Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and even Zeppo only went through the motions.

Therefore I wasn't saying we couldn't quote the bible "because there is always another writer with a contrary view who can be quoted by the other side." I hadn't been quoting Anton LeVey dontcha know. And actually I wasn't bringing up contrary views, I was bringing up content unrelated except for the source.

The Bible tells us to show compassion to the down-trodden, to love our enemy, to turn the other cheek. The Bible blesses the fruits of the womb. The Bible hates certain people for who they are. The Bible supports separation of Races.

I have no choice but to pick and choose which parts of The Bible I like. If I use my choices based on the power and goodness of the source, what right would I have to tell my contrarian they're same source is invalid?

Brian is a friend of mine, a brilliant artist and dancer and a kind person. I wholeheartedly believe he has no connection to this.

Anyone following green scare victims and cases knows that many are built on suppressing exonerating evidence and witness intimidation in the form of legal threats against alleged "co-conspirators".

I don't know how his name came to their attention but I sincerely hope he is allowed to return to his friends and community with a lengthy apology.

If your friend is swept up and arrested by a group known to arrest without cause or on slim evidence one day out of the blue, you wouldn't at least write to him? To suggest that my letters are somehow uncalled for because he's in jail is truly cold and betrays a real callous in your character.

The FBI can put me on as many of their lists as they want. I'm not letting a friend and a community member sit in prison alone with no support. I can't believe what some people on the internet say sometimes...

Why should someone have to mow a lawn? That "overgrowth" is a part of nature. I prefer "overgrown" native plants to a fake mowed lawn. Lawns are a waste of water and look stupid. But I guess it's a matter of perception.

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